Repeat mechanism for printing device



Sept. 5, 1967 L. E. PALMER REPEAT MEGHANISM FOR PRINTING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1966 INVENTOR.

LEON E. PALMER ATTORNEY.

Sept. 5, 1967 L- E. PALMER REPEAT MECHANISM .FOR PRINTING DEVICE FildJuly 22,' 1966 FIG. 4

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r TIME INTERPOSER RESTCRED.

INTERPOSER RESTCRED HCRIZCNTALLY.

CHARACTER SELECTION BAILS 60 RESTORE,

CYCLE CLUTCH RESTORES.

INTERPOSER 20 CLEARS VERTICAL LATCHINC SURFACE TT 0F REPEAT BAIL.

CYCLE CLUTCH LATCH BAIL 40 TRESTORES INTERPOSER 20 LATCHEU AGAINSTREPEAT BAIL 6T.

United States Patent C 3,339,695 REPEAT MECHANISM FOR PRINTING DEVICELeon E. Palmer, Lexington, Ky., assignor to International BusinessMachines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed July22, 1966, Ser. No. 567,302 11 Claims. (Cl. 19717) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Apparatus for making the keylever mechanisms of typewriterrepeat keylever mechanisms is disclosed. Each keylever mechanismcomprises a keylever and an interposer whose movement actuates apowering means and selects a character or other machine function. Atypist controlled repeat key is located in the keyboard area of thetypewriter. When the repeat key is actuated, a repeat bail disposedbetween the banks of keylevers and interposers is moved to an operatingrepeat position. The repeat bail is engaged by and holds an actuatedinterposer in a position wherein the associated character or machinefunction is continuously selected and the powering means continuouslyactuated as long as the repeat key is depressed. The cooperation betweenthe selected interposer and the repeat bail is such that the poweringmeans is de-energized prior to terminating the actuation of theselection apparatus when the repeat key is released to prevent anerroneous operation at the end of a repeat typing operation.

The present invention relates generally to the printing and typewriterarts and more particularly to repeat mechanism for a printing device,such as a single element typewriter.

It is often desirable in a typewriter or similar operator actuatedprinting device to make at least certain of the character keyleversrepeat keylevers. By a repeat keylever is meant a keylever which willcause repetitive and continuous printing of the associated character aslong as the keylever is depressed. A non-repeat keylever is a keyleverwhich will cause only a single printing of the corresponding charactereven though the keylever is not released and permitted to return to itsinitial position. It has been suggested in the prior art to incorporatea typist controlled means, such as a repeat control key, in a typewriterwherein the keylevers are normally nonrepeat keylevers for making someor all of the keylevers repeat keylevers when the typist controlledmeans is actuated. This arrangement is advantageous since the typist canselectively make a non-repeat keylever a repeat keylever as requiredduring typing operations.

A single element typewriter offers many advantages when compared to themore conventional typebar typewriter. Such a typewriter employs a singleprinting element which has characters formed thereon and is mounted forrotating and tilting movements on a carrier. The carrier is movable infront of a stationary printing platen. When a character keylever isdepressed, an associated interposer moves to actuate a cyclic drivingmeans and is then driven by the driving means to operate characterselection means. The character selection means controls the rotating andtilting movements of the single printing element to present the selectedcharacter atthe printing point in front of the platen while the drivingmeans powers the various functions which occur during a printingoperation. A single element typewriter of this type is the Selectrictypewriter which is manufactured and sold by International BusinessMachines Corporation, Armonk, NY. This single element typewriter isfully described in the IBM Customer Engineering Instruction Manual forthe Selectric Typewriter, form number 241- 5032-2, which was publishedin January 1966 and is available from the above organization.

It has been proposed to provide a plurality of repeat keylevers on asingle element typewriter. However, this result has not been obtainedpreviously because it has been impossible to insure that, except in thecase of a single keylever as will be discussed below, only the selectedcharacter will be printed during a repeat printing cycle. The characterselection means and the driving means of the typewriter are operated inclosely timed relation and, if the conventional prior art approach'torepeat mechanism is employed, there is a substantial probability ofprinting the wrong character. The printing of the wrong character willoccur when the repeat keylever is released at an inappropriate timeduring a repeat printing operation. Under these conditions the characterinterposer will be released immediately after the driving means has beenpermitted to begin another printing cycle. The character interposerreturns to its initial position so that it is not engaged and driven bythe driving means to actuate the character selection means. A printingcycle takes place but the character selection means is not actuated andthe wrong character is printed.

The above problem has limited the single element typewriter to a singlerepeat keylever. It has been possible to make the keylever associatedwith the character which is printed when the character selection meansis not actuated a repeat keylever. The character selection means is notactuated by the associated interposer when this keylever is depressed.Since the correct character will be printed even if thecharacterinterposer returns to its initial position immediately after a printingcycle is initiated but 'before it is driven by the driving means, asingle repeat keylever can be provided for the single element typewriterwithout encountering the above defined problem. This arrangement isfully described on page 16 of the above referenced instruction manual.

Briefly, the present invention is concerned with the-provision of repeatmechanism for a printing device, such as a single element typewriter. Atypist controlled repeat key is located in the keyboard area of thetypewriter. When this repeat control key is actuated at least a portion,and preferably all, of the normally non-repeat keylevers can be operatedas repeat keylevers. The actuation of the repeat control key causesmechanism to be operated which, when a character keylever is actuated,maintains or latches the character selection means in an actuatedcondition corresponding to the character associated with the actuatedkeylever until after the driving means has been disengaged orde-energized 'at the end of the repeat. printing operation. In thismanner it is insured that the printing of an erroneous character willnot occur at the end of a repeat printing operation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a repeat bail is movedinto the normal path of movement of the character interposers when therepeat control key is actuated. The repeat bail is engaged by aprojection on the character interposer associated with a selectedcharacter and is maintained or latched in a position to actuate both thecharacter selection means and the cyclic driving means. The selectedcharacter is therefore printed repetitively. When the repeat control keyreturns to its initial position, the repeat bail is retracted and thecharacter interposer is released in such a manner that the driving meansis disengaged prior to the time that the character interposer moves fromoperative relation with the character selection means. I

It is the primary or ultimate object of the invention to provide repeatmechanism for a single element typewriter or the like. The mechanismpermits at least some, and preferably all, of the character keylevers ina single elernent typewriter to become repeat keylevers when a repeatcontrol key is actuated.

Another object of the invention is to provide repeat typing mechanismfor a single element typewriter which incorporates means for preventingthe printing of the wrong character when a repeat typing operation isterminated. Means are provided for maintaining a character interposerassociated with the selected character in a position where both thedriving means and the character selection means are actuated. Therelease of the interposer at the end of the repeat typing operationoccurs in such a manner that the driving means disengages prior tothetime the character selection means is released so that the wrongcharacter cannot be printed.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide repeat typingmechanism for a single elementtypewriter wherein control of the typingoperation is transferred to the repeat control key as soon as the repeattyping operation is initiated. The typist may release the characterkeylever but the repeat typing operation will continue until the repeatcontrol key returns to its initial position and the previously selectedcharacter interposer is released.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a repeat typingmechanism for a single element typewriter which permits initiation ofthe repeat typing operation by depressing the selected characterkeylever after the repeat control key has been actuated. The repeat bailis mounted in a manner to permit movement of a character interposer inone direction but limits movement of this member in the oppositedirection when the repeat bail is in its active position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a repeat typingmechanism having the characteristics set forth above which is highlysimplified in construction and operation, operates in a reliable andtrouble-free manner over extended operating periods and is inexpensiveto manufacture and assemble. The mechanism is ideally adapted to beincluded in a single element typewriter with a minimum of design changeand alteration.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustratedin the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional View of the keyboard area of a singleelement typewriter embodying repeat typing mechanism constructed andoperated in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a simplified side perspective view of the repeat typingmechanism depicting the repeat control key and one of the characterkeylevers;

FIGURES 3-5 are a series of fragmentary side views I showing therelative positions of the character interposer and the repeat bail atvarious times during an operating cycle; and

FIGURE 6 is a graphical presentation illustrating the sequence of eventswhen a repeat typing operation is terminated which prevents the printingof the wrong character.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG URES 1 and 2thereof, there is shown a portion of the keyboard area of a singleelement typewriter. A keylever 10 is provided for each pair ofcharacters on the single printing element, not shown. In combinationwith case shift mechanism, also not shown, each keylever controls theselection and printing of two characters. As is conventional, thekeylevers are aligned in transversely spaced relation across the frontof the typewriter below the single printing element and the printingplaten.

The keylever 10 is pivoted at its rear end to a frame member 11 by afixed rod 12 and is guided adjacent its front end for limited verticalmovement by a slotted guide comb 13 secured to frame members 14. A leafspring 15 is attached to the frame member 14 and engages the extremefront end of the keylever to bias the same upwardly to its initialposition. A projection 16 extends from the keylever intermediate itsends and serves as a mounting stud for keybutton 17. Also mountedintermediate the ends of the keylever is a downwardly extending pivoteddauber 18 which is movable in a counterclockwise direction from theposition shown against the biasing action of spring 19 connected betweenthe dauber and the keylever. As is conventional, the typist depressesthe keylever to select and cause printing of one of a pair of charactersin accordance with the case shift status of the typewriter.

Located directly below the keylever 10 is a character interposer 20having a projection 21 which is adapted to be engaged by the lip likeend of the dauber 18. When the keylever is depressed the interposer 20'is pivoted downwardly in a clockwise direction about pivot rod 22 thatis rigidly mounted from the frame member 14 by a plate 23. A guide comb24 which is mounted from the rear frame member 11 limits the movementsof the interposer to a single vertical plane. Each interposer isslidable longitudinally due to an elongated slot 25 therein whichreceives the pivot rod 22 and the shape of that portion of theinterposer to the rear of the guide comb 24. A spring 26 extendingbetween the interposer and the frame member 11 urges the interposerupwardly and to the rear to the position shown in FIGURE 1 of thedrawings. Thus, actuation of the character interposer by the downwardmovement of the keylever is in opposition to the force exerted by spring26.

An interlock is provided for preventing the actuation of more than onekeylever-interposer combination at any one time. This interlockcomprises a plurality of balls 30 contained in an elongated andtransversely extending slotted hollow tube 31. Each interposer isprovided with a book 32 adjacent its rear end which is removed fromballs when the interposer is in its initial and inoperative position.However, the hook 32 moves into the tube 31 and between two of the balls30 when it is actuated in response to depression of the keylever. Theaggregate spacing between the balls 30 in the tube 31 is slightlygreater than the width of the book 32 but is less than twice this widthso that only one interposer may be lowered at any one time and actuationof a second keylever is prevented. When the interposer is depressed, aleaf spring latch 34 mounted from the frame member 11 rides over the topsurface 35 of the extreme rear end of the interposer. This provides ameans for latching the interposer in its lowered position against theforce exerted by spring 26 with the hook 32 of the interposer engagingthe ball interlock mechanism.

The actuation of any character interposer 20 is effective to rock acycle clutch latch bail 40 which extends transversely beneath theinterposers and is mounted from the side frames of the typewriter, notshown. The downward rocking of bail 40 pivots a cycle clutch trip latch41 about pivot rod 42 extending through the trip latch and a cycleclutch latch link 43. The cycle clutch trip latch 41 is provided with alatch surface 44 engageable with a stationary and rigidly mounted cycleclutch keeper 45 and is biased into latching position with the keeper bya spring 46 extending between the cycle clutch trip latch 41 and thecycle clutch latch link 43. The cycle clutch latch link 43 is anelongated member which pivotedly mounts the cycle clutch trip latch 41intermediate its ends as set forth above. It is biased to the left andsomewhat downwardly by a spring 47 connected between a bracket securedto frame member 14 and the bifurcated front end portion 48 of the cycleclutch latch link 43 that is slidably received over and guided by astationary rod 49.

A cycle clutch sleeve member 50 is provided with diametrically opposed,radially extending shoulders 51 and is urged for rotation in thecounterclockwise direction as represented by arrow 52 by suitable drivemeans, not shown. A pulley 53 which is rotatable with cycle clutch leafspring latch 34 in its actuated position.

Each interposer is provided with a unique combination of dependingselection projections or lugs 59 which are engageable with acorresponding combination of character selection bails 60. As fullyexplained in the above mentioned reference manual or my US. Patent2,919,002 which is assigned to the assignee of this invention, movementof different combinations of the character selection bails 60 iseffective through further mechanism, not shown, to cause appropriaterotating and tilting movements of the single printing element toposition a selected character at the printing point. In essence, thisfurther mechanism comprises a plurality of selection latches which areindividually and selectively moved from. beneath a cyclic driven latchbail in response to rocking movement of the character selection bails60. The cyclic driven latch bail operates a wifiletree mechanism torotate and tilt the single printing element in accordance with thenumber of latches which are not selected and are engaged 'by the cyclicdriven latch bail.

The rotation of the filter shaft 56, and as a consequence the forwardmovement of the actuated character interposer which rocks theappropriate character selection bails 60, is controlled by cycle clutchlatch 62 that is secured to a pivot arm 63 by a mass of resilientmaterial 64, such as rubber. The arm 63 is pivoted at its upper end tothe frame of the typewriter while the end of the cycle clutch latch link43 is pivotally attached to the other end of this arm. When the selectedcharacter interposer 20 is depressed, the cycle clutch bail 40 depressescycle clutch trip latch 41 below cycle clutch keeper 45 so that thecycle clutch latch link 43 moves forward under the action of spring 47to retract cycle clutch latch 62. The filter shaft 56 rotatescounterclockwise and one of the flutes or lobes 57 thereon engagescontact surface 58 to drive the interposer 20 forward to actuate thecharacter selection mechanism provided by character selection bails 60.The top surface 35 of the interposer moves from beneath the leaf springlatch 34 and spring 26 is operative to return the interposer to itsinitial position. It is noted that the pivoted connection between thecharacter keylever 10 and the dauber 18 will allow the interposer torestore vertically even though the typist has not released the keyleverand permitted the latter to return to its initial position.

For returning the cycle clutch latch 62 to latching engagement witheither of the radially extending shoulders 51 of cycle clutch sleevemember 50, angularly adjustable latch restoring arm 65 and follower arm66 are pivoted to the frame of the typewriter. As the filter shaft 56rotates the lobes 57 move the follower arm 66 which forces the restoringarm. 65 and the cycle clutch-latch 62 toward the clutch'sleeve member50. One of the shoulders 51 engages the properly positioned cycle clutchlatch 62 and the cycle clutch trip latch 41 restore vertically behindthe cycle clutch keeper 45. During a non-repeat character selection andprinting operation the cycle clutch sleeve 50 and the filter shaft 56each rotate through an angular'displacement of 180 degrees in thecounterclockwise direction.

The repeat mechanism of this invention comprises an angle shaped repeatbail 67 which is pivoted to the frame by a rod 68 and extendstransversely across the front of the typewriter. As is most clearlyshown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the repeat bail 67 is located in thespace between the banks of transversely aligned character keylevers 10and character interposers 20. A spring 69 extends between the frame ofthe typewriterand the repeat 6 bail 67 to urge the latter in theclockwise rotational direction.

In addition to the character keylevers 10, a special repeat controlkeylever 70 is mounted in the keyboard area of the typewriter. Thisspecial keylever is pivoted on the fixed rod 12, is biased upwardly byone of the leaf springs 15 and has a repeat keybutton 71 mountedthereon. The rear end portion of the repeat control keylever 70 has aslot 73 formed therein to provide an integral arm 74 which engages a tab75 extending from repeat bail 67. The slot 73 and arm 74 provide aresilient connection between the repeat bail 67 and the repeat controlkeylever 70. When the repeat control keylever 70 is depressed the repeatbail 67 will be pivoted downwardly in a counterclockwise direction aboutrod 68. However, if the downward movement of the repeat bail is blockedor a sufiicient restoring force is applied to the repeat bail 67, thearm 74 will bend upwardly relative to the main body portion of therepeat control keylever 70 to the extent permitted by slot 73. Each ofthe character interposers 20 is provided with an upwardly projectinggenerally L-shaped or stepped car 76 having a vertical latching surface77 and a top horizontal guiding surface 78. The function and use of thecars 76 on the character interposers 20 will be hereinafter more fullyexplained.

In order to make any character keylever a repeat keylever, the typistdepresses the repeat control keylever 70 and holds the same in thiscondition. This lowers the repeat ball 67 to a position where it isdisposed in blocking relation with the horizontal path of travel of anyselected character inter-poser 20. The typist then depresses thecharacter keylever 10 associated with the character it is desired totype repetitively. This causes the corresponding character interposer 20to move down to actuate the cycle clutch bail 40. The interposer islatched down by leaf spring latch 34 until it is driven forward by oneof the lobes or flutes 57 on the filter shaft 56 to actuate appropriateones of the character selection bails 60 in accordance with the codingof the interposer lugs 59. As the character interposer 20 is drivenforward, the forward edge of ear 76 engages and passes under the repeatbail 67. The repeat bail 67 is moved vertically by the forward passageof the character interposer due to the spring relief.

provided for the repeat control keylever 70 by arm 74 and slot 73. Thecharacter selection bails are actuated and the first printing cycle forthe selected repeat character is initiated.

As the character interposer begins to travel to the rear under theaction of spring 26, the vertical latching surface 77 of ear 76 engagesthe repeat bail 67. The character interposer is prevented from returningto the rear and vertically to its initial position. It is latched in aposition where the appropriate character selection bails 60 are actuatedand the cycle clutch bail 40 is actuated. The relationship of thecharacter interposer and the repeat bail at this time is most clearlyshown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings. The cycle clutch latch 62 isprevented from being latched in its rear clutch sleeve engaging positionunder these conditions and, as a consequence, the selected characterwill be printed repetitively. The repetitive printing of the characterwill continue even though the typist releases the character keylever 10since it is the interposer 20 which is latched in its forward anddepressed condition that controls the repeat typing operation.

To end the repeat typing operation, the typist releases the repeatcontrol keylever 70 and the repeat bail 67 begins to return to itsretracted position. As the repeat bail moves vertically, the characterinterposer also moves vertically to a position where the cycle clutchbail 40 is released from its latched condition. The cycle clutch triplatch 41 is now able to restore and latch behind cycle clutch keeper 45at the appropriate time in the operating cycle. This condition oroccurrence is represented by the dotted line 80 in the sequence chartshown in FIGURE 6 of the drawings. At this instant the characterinterposer is still maintained in its forward position where theappropriate character selection bails 60 are actuated.

Continued vertical movement of the repeat bail 67 eventually releasesthe character interposer 20 for rearward movement as is represented byline 81 in the sequence chart of FIGURE 6. The relative positions of therepeat bail and the interposer at this instant in time are shown inFIGURE 4 of the drawings. The character interposer now begins to move tothe rear with the lower edge of the repeat bail 67 riding on the topguiding surface 78 of the interposer. Early in this portion of theoperating phase, one of the shoulders 51 and the cycle clutch sleeve 50is engaged by cycle clutch latch 62 to disconnect the drive means andprevent the initiation of another printing cyclev Broken line 83represents this condition on the sequence chart. Shortly after the cycleclutch latch has been engaged the interposer has moved rearwardlysufficiently so that the character selection bails 60 are released. Therelative position of the repeat bail 67 and the character interposer 20at this instant is shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings while the brokenline 84 indicates this occurrence on the sequence chart. At this timeboth the character selection means and the driving means have beenreleased. The character interposer continues to restore to the rear andeventually reaches its initial or home position. The last movements ofthe interposer are involved in releasing the clearances between thevarious parts of the keyboard mechanism.

It should now be apparent that the objects initially set forth have beenaccomplished. Of particular importance is the provision of repeatmechanism for a single element typewriter or the like. The characterinterposer is maintained in a position where both the characterselection means defined by the character selection bails and the drivingmeans are actuated on a continuous basis to provide repeat typing of aselected character. When the repeat operation is terminated, theactuated interposer is released in such a manner that the driving meansis deenergized or disengaged prior to the time that the characterselection means is disengaged. This timed relationship between thedisengagement of the driving means and the character selection meansinsures that a wrong character cannot be printed at the end of a repeattyping operation. In the illustrated embodiment, the selected characterselection bails are maintained in their actuated state until such timethat it is insured the cycle clutch sleeve has been latched so thatanother repeat printing cycle will not take place. Since the characterselection bails are actuated at all times when the driving means iseffective, there is no possibility of the wrong character being printedat the end of a repeat typing operation.

It has been suggested in the foregoing portions of the specificationthat all character keylevers be made repeat keylevers. However, this isclearly a matter of choice since if any of the keylevers can be madenonrepeat keylevers simply by removing the ear 75 from the associatedcharacter interposer. While the above description is directed to theprovision of repeat printing mechanism, the same apparatus can be usedto provide repeat functions such as spacing or backspacing, for example.It is only necessary to provide a function interposer in the keyboardarea of the typewriter which can be maintained in an active positionwhen the repeat bail is actuated. Also, if required, it is within thepurview of the invention to p vide a release controlling means for therepeat control keylever to prevent the repeat bail from being retractedexcept during a predetermined time interval within a repeat printingcycle.

The concept of insuring that the character selection means is actuatedas long as the driving means is energized can be implemented in waysother than that disclosed. For example, it would be possible to have theinterposer operate latching mechanism during its forward travel to holdthe character selection bails or selection latches in an actuatedcondition while the interposer is in its forward or active position.Thus, the movement of the interposer would control latching means ratherthan serve as the latching means itself in maintaining the characterselection means in an actuated condition.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood thatthe foregoing and other changes in forms and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine having a print elementorientatable to a plurality of positions to bring selected characters toa printing point comprising:

a plurality of character interposers mounted in aligned side-by-siderelation;

each of said character interposers being individually actuatable in afirst plane from an initial to an actuated position;

an actuating bail extending transversely of and movable by any actuatedone of said character interposers when moved in said first plane;

a cyclic driving means actuated in response to movement of saidactuating bail;

means for latching any actuated one of said character interposers whenmoved in said first plane in a position to be engaged and driven by saidcyclic driving means;

a plurality of character selection bails extending transversely of saidcharacter interposers and controlling the orientation of said printelement;

said cyclic driving means moving any actuated and latched one of saidcharacter interposers in a second plane generally transverse to saidfirst plane to actuate selected ones of said character selection bailsand unlatch said actuated character interposer;

means for returning any actuated one of said character interposers toits initial position after actuation of said character selection bails;

a repeat bail extending transversely of said character interposers andmovable in said first plane between a retracted position and a repeatposition;

said repeat bail being disposed in the path of travel of any actuatedone of said character interposers when in said repeat position;

said repeat bail being engaged by and preventing return movement of anyactuated one of said character interposers to its initial position andmaintaining said actuated character interposer in a character interposerrepeat position where the actuating bail and the character selectionbails are actuated; and

said repeat bail and said means for returning causing any actuated oneof said character interposers to move in said first plane to disengagesaid actuating bail prior to causing movement of said actuated characterinterposer in said second plane to release said actuated characterselection bails when said repeat bail moves to said retracted position.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized by:

each of said character interposers having an L-shaped lug thereonadapted to engage said repeat bail when the latter is in said repeatposition; and

each of said L-shaped lugs having at latching surface extending in saidfirst plane and a guiding surface extending in said second plane.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized by:

yieldable means mounting said repeat bail when in said repeat position;

said yieldable means permitting movement of said repeat bail in saidfirst plane to allow the passage of an actuated character interposerbeing driven in one direction in said second .plane by said cyclicdriving means; and

the mounting of said repeat bail preventing movement 9 thereof in saidfirst plane when engaged by an actuated character interposer moving inthe opposite direction in said second plane toward its initial position.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further characterized by:

a plurality of character keylevers mounted in aligned side-by-siderelation above said character interposers for actuating the latter;

said repeat bail being located in nesting relation between saidcharacter keylevers and said character interposers; and

a repeat keylever for controlling the position of said repeat bail.

5. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine comprising: 1

a plurality of interposers mounted in aligned side-byside relation;

each of said interposers being individually actuatable in a first planefrom an initial to an actuated position;

an actuating means movable by any actuated one of said interposers whenmoved in said first plane;

a driving means actuated in response to movement of said actuatingmeans;

character selection means extending transversely of said interposers andcontrolling the selection of the character to be printed;

said driving means moving any actuated one of said interposers in asecond plane to actuate said character selection means;

means for returning any actuated one of said interposer to its initialposition after actuation of said character selection means;

repeat means extending transversely of said interposers and movable insaid first plane between a retracted position and a repeat position;

said repeat means being disposed in the path of travel of any actuatedone of said interposers when in said repeat position;

said repeat means being engaged by and preventing return movement of anyactuated one of said interposers to its initial position and maintainingsaid actuated interposer in an interposer repeat position where saidactuating means and said character selection means are actuated; and

said repeat means and said means for returning causing any actuated oneof said interposers to move in said first plane to disengage saidactuating means prior to causing movement of said actuated interposer insaid second plane to release said character selection means when saidrepeat means moves to said retracted position.

6. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine comprising:

a plurality of interposers mounted in aligned side-byside relation;

means for individually moving each of said interposers in a first planefrom an initial to an actuated position;

a driving means actuatable by any actuated one of said interposers whenmoved in said first plane; character selection means controlling theselection of a character to be printed;

said driving means moving any actuated one of said interposers in asecond plane to actuate said character selection means;

repeat means extending transversely of said interposers and movable insaid first plane between a retracted position and a repeat position;

said repeat means being disposed in the path of travel of any actuatedone of said interposers when said repeat means is in said repeatposition;

said repeat means being engaged by any actuated one of said interposersfor maintaining said character selection means in an actuated state whensaid repeat means is in said repeat position; and

said repeat means causing said actuating means to be disengaged prior todisengagement of said character selection means when said repeat meansmoves to said retracted position to prevent the typing of an erroneousrepeat character at the end of a repeat typing operation.

7. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine comprising:

a plurality of interposer mounted in aligned side-byside relation;

a plurality of keylever means mounted in aligned sideby-side relation toone side of said interposers for selectively actuating the latter;

a driving means actuated in response to movement of any actuated one ofsaid interposers in a first plane;

character selection means controlling the selection of a character to beprinted;

said driving means moving any actuated one of said interposers in asecond plane generally transverse to said first plane to actuate saidcharacter selection means;

repeat means movable between a retracted position and a repeat position;

said repeat means maintaining any actuated one of said interposers in aposition where said driving means and said character selection means arecontinuously operated when said repeat means is in said repeat position;

each of said interposers having a lug thereon adapted to engage saidrepeat means when the latter is in said repeat position; and

each of said lugs having a latching surface extending in said firstplane.

8. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine comprising:

a plurality of interposer mounted in aligned side-byside relation;

a plurality of keylever means mounted in aligned sideby-side relation toone side of said interposers for selectively actuating the latter;

a driving mean actuated in response to movement of any actuated one ofsaid interposers in a first plane;

character selection means controlling the selection of a character to beprinted;

said driving means moving any actuated one of said interposers in asecond plane generally transverse to said first plane to actuate saidcharacter selection means;

repeat means movable between a retracted position and a repeat position;

said repeat means maintaining any actuated one of said interposers in aposition where said driving means and said character selection means arecontinuously operated when said repeat means is in said repeat position;

said repeat means comprising a repeat bail and yieldable means mountingsaid repeat bail;

said yieldable means permitting movement of said repeat bail in saidfirst plane to allow the passage of an actuated interposer when movingin one direction in said second plane; and

the mounting of said repeat bail preventing movement thereof in aidfirst plane when engaged by an actuated interposer moving in theopposite direction in said second plane.

9. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine comprising:

a plurality of interposer mounted in aligned side-byside relation;

a plurality of keylever means mounted in aligned sideby-side relation toone side of said interposers for selectively actuating the latter;

a driving means actuated in response to movement of any actuated one ofsaid interposers in a first plane;

character selection means controlling the selection of a character to beprinted;

said driving means moving any actuated one of said interposers in asecond plane generally tranverse to said first plane to actuate saidcharacter selection means;

repeat means movable between a retracted position and a repeat position;

said repeat means maintaining any actuated one of said interposers in aposition Where said driving means and said character selection means arecontinuously operated when said repeat means is in said repeat position;

a yieldable mounting mean for said repeat means;

said mounting means permitting movement of said repeat means in saidfirst plane to allow the passage of an actuated interposer when movingin said second plane; and

the mounting of said repeat means preventing movement thereof in saidfirst plane when engaged by an actuated interposer moving in theopposite direction in aid second plane.

10. A repeat mechanism for a printing machine comprising:

a plurality of interposers mounted in aligned side-byside relation;

means for individually moving each of said interposers in a first planefrom an initial to an actuated position;

a driving means actuatable by any actuated one of said interposers whenmoved in said first plane;

selection means controlling the selection apparatus;

said driving means moving any actuated one of said interposers in asecond plane to actuate said selection means;

repeat means extending transversely of said interposers and movable insaid first plane between a retracted position and a repeat position;

said repeat means being disposed in the path of travel of any actuatedone of said interposers when said repeat means is in said repeatposition;

said repeat means being engaged by any actuated one of said interposersfor maintaining said selection means in an actuated state when saidrepeat means is in said repeat position; and said repeat means causingsaid actuating means to be disengaged prior to disengagement of saidselection means when said repeat means moves to said retracted positionto prevent an erroneous operation at the end of a repeat operation. 11.Apparatus according to claim further characterized by:

each of said interposers having a lug thereon adapted to engage saidrepeat means when the latter is in said repeat position;

15 each of said lug having a latching surface extending in said firstplane; said repeat means comprising a repeat bail and yieldable meansmounting said repeat bail; said yieldable means permitting movement ofsaid repeat bail in said first plane to allow the passage of an actuatedinterposer when moving in one direction in said second plane; and themounting of said repeat bail preventing movement thereof in said firstplane when engaged by an v actuated interposer moving in the oppositedirection in said second plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,851,311 3/1932 Hokanson 197 171,873,406 8/1932 Hokanson 19717 1,929,975 10/1933 Hokanson 197-172,600,200 6/1952 Brink 19717 2,728,435 12/1955 Kupper 197-17 2,905,2979/1959 Studiber et a1. 19717 2,919,002 12/1959 Palmer 197-l6 3,086,6354/1963 Palmer 197-16 ROBERT E. PULFREY, Primary Examiner.

E. S. BURR, Assistant Examiner.

1. A REPEAT MECHANISM FOR A PRINTING MACHINE HAVING A PRINT ELEMENTORIENTATABLE TO A PLURALITY OF POSITIONS TO BRING SELECTED CHARACTERS TOA PRINTING POINT COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF CHARACTER INTERPOSERSMOUNTED IN ALIGNED SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATION; EACH OF SAID CHARACTERINTERPOSERS BEING INDIVIDUALLY ACTUATABLE IN A FIRST PLANE FROM ANINITIAL TO AN ACTUATED POSITION; AN ACTUATING BAIL EXTENDINGTRANSVERSELY OF AND MOVABLE BY ANY ACTUATED ONE OF SAID CHARACTERINTERPOSERS WHEN MOVED IN SAID FIRST PLANE; A CYLIC DRIVING MEANSACTUATED IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATING BAIL; MEAN FORLATCHING ANY ACTUATED ONE OF SAID CHARACTER INTERPOSERS WHEN MOVED INSAID FIRST PLANE IN A POSITION TO BE ENGAGED AND DRIVEN BY SAID CYLICDRIVING MEANS; A PLURALITY OF CHARACTER SELECTION BIALS EXTENDINGTRANSVERSELY OF SAID CHARACTER INTERPOSERS AND CONTROLLING THEORIENTATION OF SAID PRINT ELEMENT; SAID CYCLIC DRIVING MEANS MOVING ANYACTUATED AND LATCHED ONE OF SAID CHARACTER INTERPOSERS IN A SECOND PLANEGENERALLY TRANSVERSE TO SAID FIRST PLANE TO ACTUATE SELECTED ONES OFSAID CHARACTER SELECTION BAILS AND UNLATCH SAID ACTUATED CHARACTERINTERPOSER; MEANS FOR RETURNING ANY ACTUATED ONE OF SAID CHARACTERINTERPOSERS TO ITS INITIAL POSITION AFTER ACTUATION OF SAID CHARACTERSELECTION BAILS; A REPEAT BAIL EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID CHARACTERINTERPOSERS AND MOVABLE IN SAID FIRST PLANE BETWEEN A RETRACTED POSITIONAND A REPEAT POSITION; SAID REPEAT BAIL BEING DISPOSED IN THE PATH OFTRAVEL OF ANY ACTUATED ONE OF SAID CHARACTER INTERPOSERS WHEN IN SAIDREPEAT POSITION; SAID REPEAT BAIL BEING ENGAGED BY AND PREVENTING RETURNMOVEMENT OF ANY ACTUATED ONE OF SAID CHARACTER INTERPOSERS TO ITSINITIAL POSITION AND MAINTAINING SAID ACTUATED CHARACTER INTERPOSER IN ACHARACTER INTERPOSER REPEAT POSITION WHERE THE ACTUATING BAIL AND THECHARACTER SELECTION BAILS ARE ACTUATED; AND SAID REPEAT BAIL AND SAIDMEANS FOR RETURNING CAUSING ANY ACTUATED ONE OF SAID CHARACTERINTERPOSERS TO MOVE IN SAID FIRST PLANE TO DISENGAGE SAID ACTUATING BAILPRIOR TO CAUSING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATED CHARACTER INTERPOSER IN SAIDSECOND PLANE TO RELEASE SAID ACTUATED CHARACTER SELECTION BAILS WHENSAID REPEAT BAIL MOVES TO SAID RETRACTED POSITION.